Softwr

Software · head to head

Caterpillar MineStar vs HERE Technologies

Caterpillar MineStar logo

Caterpillar MineStar

Software

Integrated technology for mining fleet management

From
On request
Rated
-
HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Software

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only HERE Technologies has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Caterpillar MineStar requires significant capital investment and integration with existing fleet infrastructure; HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • They diverge on capability: Caterpillar MineStar covers Fleet management, HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Caterpillar MineStar and HERE Technologies actually diverge.

Attributes where Caterpillar MineStar and HERE Technologies differ
AttributeCaterpillar MineStarHERE Technologies
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud-based, Remote operation stationsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platform
Founded19251985

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Caterpillar MineStar

  • Fleet management
  • Real-time tracking
  • Terrain management
  • Equipment health monitoring
  • Autonomous haulage
  • Drill guidance
  • CAT Equipment
  • Third-party OEM

Only in HERE Technologies

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Caterpillar MineStar

  • Fleet optimizationnot HERE Technologies
  • Autonomous operationsnot HERE Technologies
  • Equipment monitoringnot HERE Technologies
  • Production trackingnot HERE Technologies

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot Caterpillar MineStar

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Caterpillar MineStar

  • Requires significant capital investment and integration with existing fleet infrastructure
  • Complex implementation requiring specialized training for operators and management personnel
  • Primarily designed for large-scale mining operations; less suitable for smaller mines

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

Pricing, plan by plan

Caterpillar MineStar

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Caterpillar MineStar review.

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Caterpillar MineStar if

  • You need fleet management.
  • You work on Cloud-based, Remote operation stations.
  • You also want real-time tracking.

Choose HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.

Questions people ask

Is Caterpillar MineStar or HERE Technologies better?
Neither clearly leads. Caterpillar MineStar starts at On request and HERE Technologies at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Caterpillar MineStar or HERE Technologies?
HERE Technologies has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Caterpillar MineStar and Free for HERE Technologies.
Does Caterpillar MineStar or HERE Technologies run on more platforms?
Caterpillar MineStar runs on Cloud-based, Remote operation stations. HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Yes. HERE Technologies has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Caterpillar MineStar starts at On request.
What is Caterpillar MineStar best used for?
Caterpillar MineStar is most often used for fleet optimization, autonomous operations, equipment monitoring, production tracking. Of those, fleet optimization and autonomous operations are not what HERE Technologies is typically brought in for.
What can Caterpillar MineStar do that HERE Technologies cannot?
Caterpillar MineStar covers Fleet management, Real-time tracking, Terrain management, Equipment health monitoring. HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Caterpillar MineStar: Does MineStar work with equipment from other manufacturers?

Yes. MineStar Solutions work with all types of assets and integrate with any brand of equipment, sharing data across existing machines, systems and technologies.

Source
HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: What are the main components of MineStar?

MineStar comprises five configurable features: Fleet for equipment tracking, Terrain for haul path optimization, Detection for safety monitoring, Health for equipment maintenance, and Command for autonomous operations.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: Can MineStar be used for underground mining?

Yes. MineStar Solutions are available for both surface and underground mining operations, with dedicated technology offerings for underground safety and productivity.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: Is MineStar a cloud-based or on-premises solution?

MineStar is a cloud-based, subscription-managed application that reduces costs of deployment, service, and training by allowing customers to select offerings by role, function, or task.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source

Related pages

Other head to heads